Published on 17 Dec 2021 on Benzinga via Yahoo Finance
CSL Seals $11.7B Buyout Deal Of Vifor Pharma, Probably the Largest Healthcare Deal In 2021
Australian biopharma CSL Ltd (OTC: CSLLY) has agreed to acquire Vifor Pharma AG (OTC: GNHAY) for $11.7 billion (equity value) in a move to diversify its business.
The all-cash purchase at $179.25 per share represents a 40% premium on the 60-day average price of Vifor's stock as of December 1.The $12.3 billion (fully diluted shares and debt) / A$17.2 billion deal consideration will be funded through a combination of A$6.3 billion ($4.5 billion) fully underwritten placement, $6.0 billion / A$8.4 billion new debt, and existing cash / undrawn facilities.The deal would give CSL, heavily dependent on vaccines and blood plasma products, Vifor's therapeutic offerings for iron deficiency, nephrology, and cardio-renal conditions.The transaction would be the largest in the industry this year, topping .5 billion Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK) paid for Acceleron Pharma Inc.The price was considerably higher than anticipated. The Australian Financial Review reported that CSL was eying a potential deal for around $7.1 billion two weeks ago.Price Action: GNHAY shares are up 4.36% at $32.54, CSLLY shares are down 4.59% at $100.63 during the market session on the last check Tuesday.